Last week, an intriguing rumor was making the rounds regarding the involvement of attorney David Boies in the Saintsí bounty probe. Boies, who represented the NFL in last yearís post-lockout antitrust action, later represented the NBA Players Association in a similar claim.

After ruling out the possibility that Boies was representing any of the Saints employees whose appeal hearings were held last week, we looked into the question of whether Boies had been hired by the NFLPA to represent individual players. Fascinating as the prospect may have been, the rumor wasnít true. (One source jokingly compared the union hiring Boies to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones partnering with Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, before saying, ďOh, wait . . . .Ē)

The truth, according to AmLawDaily.com, is that the NFLPA has retained Richard Smith of Fulbright & Jaworski, an international law firm. Smith chairs the firmís Global White Collar Crime and Government Investigations practice group.

Itís unclear at this point whether Smith would represent individual players only in any potential criminal charges or whether he also will represent the players in any appeals filed after discipline is imposed by the NFL.

The league has identified only linebacker Jonathan Vilma as having involvement in the bounty system, but the NFL has said 22-to-27 total players funded and/or received payments. There are no specific indications at this point that any criminal charges will be pursued.

This is the wave of the future. Just play and stay in close touch with your attorney. Maybe the NFL would put a phone on the side line so after each play they could find out what their chances are for an appeal after each flag.:smile: